A TRUE HEROINE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 2379, 8 October 1887, Page 2 (Supplement)

A TRUE HEROINE.

At a recent parade of the French troops in the capital of Tonquin, the general commanding sent for Mother Mary Tcrc.-a of tho Order of Charity who as a Sister of Mercy was attending the sick and dying in the military hospital. The messenger returned and reported “ Mother Mary Teresa is at present at thn bedside of Corporal Fournier, whoso leg they are going to amputate, and she says she cannot abandon him just now; she is animating him so much by her kind words that Dr. Blessaut says it would he cruelty to withdraw her from his side.” A very short time after tho sister was free and came to the presence of the general as required by him. The General then speaks aloud in a solemn vuieo that breaks the imposing silence—" Mother Mary Teresa, when you were twenty years of age yon received a wound from a cannon ball while assisting one of the wounded on .the field of Balaklaya. In 1559 the shell from a mittrailleuse laid you prostrate in tho front rank on tho battle-field of Magenta. Since then you have been in Syria, in China, and in Mexico, and if you were not wounded it was not because you have not exposed yourself to the shot of gun and cannon and tlie sabres and lances of the enemy. In 1870 you wore taken up in Reisohoffen covered with many sabre wounds amongst a heap of dead cuirassiers. Such deeds of heroism you have crowned only a few weeks ago with oue of tho most heroic actions which history records. A grenade fell upon the ambulance which was under your charge ; it did not burst, but it might have done so at any moment and caused new wounds in the bodies of those who were already wounded ; but there you were—you took up the grenade in your arms, you smiled upon the wounded who looked at you with feelings of dismay, not for themselves, but for you, and you carried it away to a distance of SO metre. On laying it down you noticed that it was going to burst ; you threw yourself cm tho ground ; it hurst, you were seen covered with blond ; hut when persons came to your assistance, you rose up smiling as is your wont, and said—‘ That is nothing.’ You are scarcely recovered from your wound, vnd you return to the hospital whence I lave just now summoned you.” The General continued “ Mother Mary Teresa come up on the platform and kneel on the highest step.”

She did so. Then the General touched the Superioress of the Sisters of Charßy three times on the shoulder with his sword, and taking out the Cross of tlie Legion of Honour, he placed it on her habit, and said, with quivering voice; “ I put upon you the cross of the brave, in the name of the French people and army ; no one has gained it by mure deeds of heroism, nor by a life so completely spent in self abnegation for tho benefit of your brothers and tho service of your country.” “ Soldiers ! present arms Loud a xlamations came from every lip. Mother Mary Teresa rises up, and her countenance has resume.l its natural expression. She asks; “Audi am done now, General ?” “ Yes,” said he. “ Well, then, I am going hack to the soldier who has had his log amputated. That is nothing.”